AS the Borders Railway celebrated 500,000 passengers in its first four months, we take a look at the most scenic railway journeys in Scotland.

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The line, which opened in September, is the longest new domestic railway built in the UK for over a century and takes passengers on a 30-mile journey from Edinburgh through Midlothian to Tweedbank in the Scottish Borders .

It has proved popular with both tourists and commuters with the number of passengers exceeding original expectations.

The Borders Railway marked the milestone achievement at Edinburgh Waverley with the service becoming one of Scotland's most scenic rail routes.

But Scotland already boats some of the most spectacular train journeys in the world - here's our guide to the best (including the Borders Railway).

The Borders Railway

Robin McKelvie

Borders Railway Scenery

The new 30-mile service is the longest line in the UK in over a century and has even had a celebrity passenger in the Queen, who celebrated becoming Britain's longest-serving monarch with a journey to the Borders. The journey runs from the Scottish capital through Midlothian to Tweedbank in the Scottish Borders.

The West Highland Line

One of the world’s most exhilarating railway journeys. It runs from Glasgow to Fort William and beyond towards the Isle of Skye, crossing viaducts and moors, going through mountains and glens, traversing high above Gare Loch and Loch Lomond. Such was the achievement of the Victorian engineers and navvies that their line still takes you beyond the reach of roads.

Glasgow to Oban

This is the less well known route of the West Highland Line and well worth the journey. On splitting at Crianlarich, this train powers through Tyndrum, Dalmally, Lochawe, Taynuilt and Connel before reaching the end of the line on Oban’s south pier. Along the way, the train skirts Loch Awe, offering passengers glimpses of Kilchurn Castle before passing beneath the impressive Ben Cruachan. As the train pulls into the terminus, views across Oban bay and its surrounding islands welcome the traveller.

The Kyle Line

Part of the North Highland Line, the spectacular scenery has views of Garve, Lochluichart, Achanalt, Achnasheen, Achnashellach, Strathcarron, Attadale, Stromeferry, Duncraig, Plockton and Duirnish before reaching the Kyle of Lochalsh where the bridge will take you to the beautiful Isle of Skye, one mile away.

The Far North Line

The second part of the North Highland Line, this heads into some of Scotland’s most sparsely populated landscapes, travelling through vast Highland estates and many areas of historical interest and beautiful countryside before reaching Thurso, the most northerly railway station in the UK.

Glasgow to Mallaig

Britain at its wildest, loneliest and loftiest – the Road to the Isles track reaches 411m. After shedding the city, you hug the banks of Loch Lomond, then speed through a drama of waterfalls, castle ruins and mountain flanks. The bleak expanses of Rannoch Moor are so inhospitable that no road dares cross it and the track had to be balanced on a mattress of tree roots, earth and ashes. Later, Ben Nevis rears over the line before you sweep across a 100ft high viaduct given new fame by its appearance in several Harry Potter films.

To get a taste of some of the views on the NC500, our gallery below shows 30 stunning pictures that prove Scotland has the most beautiful coastline in the world.